Capitals of Scandinavia

The attractive capital of Finland is situated by the Baltic Sea, boasting a 100km shoreline and around 330 offshore islands. It is relaxed with plenty of character, compact enough to explore comfortably under your own steam. The Fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just a 15-minute ferry ride away from Helsinki Market Square on a beautiful island and is a popular place to visit. See examples of neoclassical architecture in the much-photographed Senate Square; numerous Art Nouveau buildings, the most famous being the central railway station, and many modernist creations by the world renowned architect, Alvar Aalto. Helsinki’s architecture, punctuated by numerous parks and gardens, inviting bistros and cafes as well as the buzz that always surrounds the area by the harbour, combine to make this a lovely place to begin your trip.

The attractive capital of Finland is situated by the Baltic Sea, boasting a 100km shoreline and around 330 offshore islands. It is relaxed with plenty of character, compact enough to explore comfortably under your own steam. The Fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just a 15-minute ferry ride away from Helsinki Market Square on a beautiful island and is a popular place to visit. See examples of neoclassical architecture in the much-photographed Senate Square; numerous Art Nouveau buildings, the most famous being the central railway station, and many modernist creations by the world renowned architect, Alvar Aalto. Helsinki’s architecture, punctuated by numerous parks and gardens, inviting bistros and cafes as well as the buzz that always surrounds the area by the harbour, combine to make this a lovely place to begin your trip.

In pictures

Morning and early afternoon in Helsinki, then make your way to the port (payable locally) in time for your overnight cruise to Stockholm. Set sail at 17:00, enjoying an extended sunset, its magical light reflecting off the calm waters. Watch the lights of the city fade as the Silja Symphony or Silja Serenade sails out through the archipelago then head below deck to a wide central promenade where you’ll find Duty Free shops and entertainment, and enjoy dinner before retiring to your cabin.

Arrive in the Swedish capital around 09:30, make you way to your hotel (payable locally) for a two-night stay. With 14 islands connected via a network of waterways and more than 50 bridges, Stockholm is known as ‘the Venice of the north’ and is undoubtedly one of the world’s most beautiful capitals.

Spend the day exploring. Stroll around the narrow cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, the old town with one of the best preserved medieval city centres; visit the Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral; and enjoy a wealth of shopping and sightseeing opportunities. Be like a Swede and take a ‘fika’, a coffee break Swedish style – coffee followed by something sweet to eat. Take a trip to the island of Djurgården, home to the impressively preserved warship Vasa; visit Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world or Astrid Lindgren’s Junibacken. For something a little more up-beat, visit ABBA The Museum, an interactive exhibition about the famous pop band. Perhaps take a boat trip amongst Stockholm’s stunning archipelago with 30,000 islands, islet rocks and skerries. And definitely enjoy the Swedish cuisine!

Spend the day exploring. Stroll around the narrow cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, the old town with one of the best preserved medieval city centres; visit the Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral; and enjoy a wealth of shopping and sightseeing opportunities. Be like a Swede and take a ‘fika’, a coffee break Swedish style – coffee followed by something sweet to eat. Take a trip to the island of Djurgården, home to the impressively preserved warship Vasa; visit Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world or Astrid Lindgren’s Junibacken. For something a little more up-beat, visit ABBA The Museum, an interactive exhibition about the famous pop band. Perhaps take a boat trip amongst Stockholm’s stunning archipelago with 30,000 islands, islet rocks and skerries. And definitely enjoy the Swedish cuisine!

In pictures

Sit back and enjoy the scenic 6-hour journey by train, passing farmland, lakes, picturesque towns and villages. The direct train departs at 08.29 or 15.25. Make your way to the hotel and spend two nights in Norway’s capital, Oslo.

Conveniently located on Oslofjord, means Norway’s capital boasts the best of the city life as well as wonderful nature on its doorstep. Explore the medieval Akershus Fortress and the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park; visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to the strongest wooden, Polar ship ever built, or climb the impressive structure at Holmenkollen ski museum, and enjoy spectacular views from the top of the jump. The ever popular Aker Brygge area, with its mix of distinctive buildings reclaimed from its shipyard heritage and impressive modern architecture, has a lively harbour-front boardwalk and a wealth of outdoor dining and entertainment venues. From here, take a fjord cruise, an evening live music boat trip or even a Pirate cruise, always a family favourite.

Conveniently located on Oslofjord, means Norway’s capital boasts the best of the city life as well as wonderful nature on its doorstep. Explore the medieval Akershus Fortress and the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park; visit the Fram Museum, dedicated to the strongest wooden, Polar ship ever built, or climb the impressive structure at Holmenkollen ski museum, and enjoy spectacular views from the top of the jump. The ever popular Aker Brygge area, with its mix of distinctive buildings reclaimed from its shipyard heritage and impressive modern architecture, has a lively harbour-front boardwalk and a wealth of outdoor dining and entertainment venues. From here, take a fjord cruise, an evening live music boat trip or even a Pirate cruise, always a family favourite.

In pictures

Spend the morning at leisure, then make your way to the harbour (payable locally) in time for the overnight sailing to Copenhagen, departing at 16:30. Stay overnight in a cabin aboard a ship complete with a variety of dining and entertainment facilities.

Arrive in Copenhagen around 09:45, make you way to your hotel (payable locally) for a two-night stay. Denmark’s capital has a ‘small and friendly’ appeal and is easy to explore.

See the statue of The Little Mermaid, visit the 100 year old amusement park, Tivoli Gardens and take a guided tour of Christiania, the ‘freetown’ beloved of creative types with its interesting architecture, cheap eats and live music. Nyhavn is a 17th Century waterfront area full of brightly coloured houses and a bewildering choice of lively bars and restaurants. The pedestrian shopping street, Strøget, has something for everyone and there are some impressively regal palaces to visit; Amalienborg, the main residence of the Queen of Denmark, is considered to be one of the greatest works of Danish Rococco architecture, and the daily changing of the guard here is always popular.

See the statue of The Little Mermaid, visit the 100 year old amusement park, Tivoli Gardens and take a guided tour of Christiania, the ‘freetown’ beloved of creative types with its interesting architecture, cheap eats and live music. Nyhavn is a 17th Century waterfront area full of brightly coloured houses and a bewildering choice of lively bars and restaurants. The pedestrian shopping street, Strøget, has something for everyone and there are some impressively regal palaces to visit; Amalienborg, the main residence of the Queen of Denmark, is considered to be one of the greatest works of Danish Rococco architecture, and the daily changing of the guard here is always popular.

In pictures

Travel to the airport (payable locally) and check in for your flight.